win

I UK [wɪn] / US verb
Word forms "win":
present tense I/you/we/they win he/she/it wins present participle winning past tense won UK [wʌn] / US past participle won
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Metaphor:

Winning a competition or game is like hitting or killing your opponent. Losing is like being injured. Scotland beat England 1–0. ♦ They were thrashed by Manchester United. ♦ The home team annihilated the opposition. ♦ The home team took a real battering. ♦ We hammered them in the final. ♦ She slaughtered me last time we played tennis. ♦ They suffered a crushing defeat by the Spanish side. ♦ They were knocked out of the competition. ♦ It was a knockout competition. ♦ There was a sudden death play-off for third place. ➡ success

1)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to defeat everyone else by being the best or by finishing first in a competition

Every time we play tennis, she wins.

Who won the race?

The 1970 elections were won by a coalition led by Allende.

Celtic must win by three goals to reach the semifinals.

b) to achieve victory in a war, battle, or argument

No matter who wins the war, there will be heavy casualties on both sides.

Why is it that whenever we argue, you always win?

•

Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with win
▪  comfortably, convincingly, easily, handsomely, narrowly

2) [transitive] to get something as a prize for defeating other people or because you are lucky

Our skiing team won a gold medal at the Olympics.

Raoul won first prize in a spelling contest.

He won £4,000 in the lottery last week.

3)

a) [transitive] to succeed in getting something that you want because of hard work or ability

We've won a £3 million contract to build the new bridge.

The city has won the right to host the Games.

win support/approval:

The bill is winning a lot of support from farmers.

win someone's love/heart:

He was never able to win her love.

b) to be the most important reason why someone succeeds or achieves something

His athletic ability won him a scholarship to a good university.

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you can't win them all/(you) win some, (you) lose some — used for showing sympathy to someone who has not been successful or for showing that you accept that you have not been successful

I thought we'd get the building contract, but I suppose you can't win them all.

- win hands down

- win or lose

- you can't win

- you win

Phrasal verbs:

- win back

- win out

- win over

II UK [wɪn] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "win":
singular win plural wins
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an instance of winning, especially in sports

This is their fourth win of the season.

convincing/easy/good win:

It was a convincing win for Labour.